Anti-poppy drive runs in Kunar

AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: Local officials of eastern Kunar on Wednesday have said that poppy eradication drive has been launched to root out the illegal plants, covering 400 hectors of land in the province.

Kunar Counternarcotics Department Official, Mohammad Arif Safi told Pajhwok Afghan News the campaign has been launched with the kind support and coordination of security forces.

He said the government plan for the ongoing years is composed of to destroy the poppy crop on 400 hectors of land across the province.

Kunar police chief Brig. Gen. Juma Gul Himmat said police force is cooperating with the campaigners in compliance with directives from the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Interior.

He said the anti-poppy drive has started yesterday from Shaigal district where dozens of acres of land was cleared of the crop in a number of villages.

The police chief said tight security measures have been adopted for the campaign and the campaigners had so far faced no resistance, adding that the drive is being supported by the tribal elders, religious scholars and the youth, the police chief said.

Gul Wali, a poppy grower, said the government should provide them improved quality of seeds and chemical fertilizer in order to encourage legal crops.

He said they grew poppy to fight against poverty because other crops had little income.